TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13427, 8 July 1914, Page 3

TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION.

Li his annual report to the Hawke's Bay Education Boaid, Mr E. G. Loten, Director of Technical Instruction for the Board, reported upon the advisability of establishing a day technical school at Gisborne. The matter was referred to the members of the north ward to confer upon with the Gishorne High School Board. Mr Loten has been m Gisborne since Saturday last, aim it was hoped the conference could have been held while he was here. The High School Board, however, desire to consider the report, a copy of which has been sent them, before a conference is held. It is probable that the conference will take place next month. Speaking to a Herald representative, ilr Loten said there was no doubt the time had arrived for a day technical

school at Gisborne. He pointed out that technical education m Gisborne was un,l der the control of the High School Board, and the object of the conference was either to get them to undertake the proposal or to delegate their authority to tho Education Board. If the High School Board adopted the latter course, a small Act of Parliament would be neoessary, and it would mean that all technical instruction outside tliat done

at the High School, would come under the oontrol of the Education Board. It .was natural, Mr Loten remarked, that the High School Board should desire to ascertain whether a day technical school would affect the attendance at the High School, but he thought he would be able to show them that it would not. Those who attended High Schools were there for examination purposes m connection with universities and professions, whilst the technical school was simply for instruction m commercial and industrial courses. " . Mr Loten explained that if a day technical school were established it would probably be carried on at the present technical school for a year or two, when he believed the support would warrant the removal of the present building or the erection >of a new one, so as to bring it under v the control of the proper authority. The present building was on the Education Board's property (on the Gisborne School grounds), and it would be seen that this position was hardly suitable for a day technical school. Referring to the proposed system, the director said the idea was that all children on passing the sixth standard who did not wish to go to a high school, should attend the day technical school. Those who did not do so voluntarily could be made to attend m the evenings. Both these classes - c putrils would be free, but it was expected there would be a large number, includin/r adults, who would attend evening classes, and i these would be charged a (fee to provide for instructors. The minimum staff at the initiation of the school would be four instructors, with additional .instructors for evening classes. At the Napier day technical school . the permanent staff numbered seven, but there were 30 for the evenincr classes, which were attended by about 500. pupils. There would be four sources of revenue — the Department's subsidy on compulsory pupils', the „ capitation per head of day pupils, fees * from night classes, and local bodies' contributions. "Some think I am trying to have a cut at the Gisborne High School," added Mr Loten. "but this is not a fact. No personalities are being introduced into it at all. ' Bein.? responsible to the Education Board for technical work, I felt quite justified m malting recommendations that to my mind have, to do with the development of technical work throughout the ■ -whole district.".'